Technique for augmenting the acoustic output of a portable audio device

Abstract

A portable audio device is configured to generate acoustic output in conjunction with an auxiliary audio device when the portable audio device and the auxiliary audio device both reside within a given boundary. When the portable audio device enters a region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device determines optimized device settings and / or parameters for the portable audio device and for the auxiliary audio device based on differences between the operational capabilities of those two audio devices. When the portable audio device exits the region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device returns to nominal operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to audio devices and, more specifically, to a technique for altering the acoustic output of an audio device that is used in conjunction with one or more other audio devices.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]The popularity of portable music players has increased dramatically in the past decade. Modern portable music players allow music enthusiasts to listen to music in a wide variety of different environments without requiring access to a wired power source. For example, a battery-operated portable music player such as an iPod® is capable of playing music in a wide variety of locations without needing to be plugged in.[0005]Conventional portable music players are typically designed to have a small form factor in order to increase portability. Accordingly, the batteries within such music players are usually small and only provide several hours of battery life. Similarly, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a portable audio device that can create a better acoustic experience for the user by using an additional audio device. This will also save power and extend the battery life of the portable device.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, the batteries within such music players are usually small and only provide several hours of battery life.

However, the speakers within a conventional portable music player usually cannot play all of the bass frequencies due to physical limitations of the speakers themselves, or because doing so would quickly drain the batteries within the music player.

Consequently, the sound quality of music played by conventional portable music players is almost universally low.

Moreover, since conventional portable music players have a small form factor, providing stereo sound without earphones is generally impossible, further reducing the sound quality that is possible with such music players.

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